Page 87 of Straightened Out

I cut him off.

“Of course you didn’t. I like to think if you had, you wouldn’t have called her a fucking whore,” I say pointedly, turning my back to him. I pat Johnny on the shoulder and slide into the backseat of his Mercedes. Once I’m situated, Johnny closes the door and I roll down the tinted window. Rienzi bends to meet my gaze. “I’ll meet you at Mickey’s at six o’clock.”

I don’t give him a chance to respond. Instead, I dismiss him by rolling up the window. Johnny gets behind the wheel and his eyes find mine through the rearview mirror.

“Everything okay, boss?”

Leaning against the plush leather, I pull another cigarette out and quickly light it. I take the first pull and blow out a ring of smoke before meeting his concerned eyes.

“You can’t trust anyone,” I say.

“You can trust me.”

He pops open the console and twists in his seat, handing me my gun.

“It’s locked and loaded.”

Maybe I can trust him.

There’s always one good egg.

~*~

“What the hellare you doing here? Gina hisses, tightening her grip on the door.

Rolling my eyes, I rake my fingers through my messy hair.

“Nice to see you too, sis. Now, let me in or I’ll start a scene and we both know you’re too proud to be the talk of your apartment complex.”

“I’m on my way out,” she argues.

“Not anymore,” I clip, pushing open the door. She huffs out a breath as I stride past her and into the apartment.

“Look, I don’t know how long you’re in town for, but call my office tomorrow and maybe we can catch up before you go back home.” I quirk an eyebrow.

I find it hard to believe she has no idea I’ve been in New York for a while now. After all, my mug was on the front page of the papers for a solid three days. But never mind that—did she just make a civil attempt to‘catch up’?

“You want me to call your office,” I say, unbuttoning my suit jacket. I shove a hand into my pocket and narrow my eyes. I’m not taking the bait, sis. Not this time. “Look at you, all grown up, thinking you’re holier than thou.” I pause and cock my head to the side as I bite the inside of my cheek. “I wonder if mommy would be proud of the little bitch you became.”

“I’m sure as proud as she’d be knowing you became a low-class thug,” she sneers.

Ah, that’s what I thought.

Gina doesn’t have a shred of decency when it comes to me. All that talk about catching up is just a pathetic attempt to make me leave.

“I’m sure,” I agree. “I didn’t comer here to catch up, lil’ sis, and contrary to popular belief, I didn’t come here to swap insults either. I think it’s safe to say our mother is probably rolling in her grave, displeased with what we’ve both become.”

That strikes a nerve.

“I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of,” she snaps. “I have made a damn good life for myself.”

“Yeah,” I say, tipping my chin. “If fancy fucking clothes and a fat bank account will keep you happy for the rest of your life.” I angle my head and smirk. “You should look into getting a car or something.”

“Fuck you, Rocco. What do you have? A nightclub and a parade of whores who throw themselves at you?”

“I’m not in the nightclub business anymore,” I reveal, leaving out that I’ve also retired from engaging in the parade of whores. I’m not ready to share Violet with Gina.

I sigh and shove my free hand into my other pocket. Lifting my chin, I stare at my sister for a moment.

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